TMT: IT & Telecommunications

King & Wood Mallesons fields a highly respected practice that acts on the highest-profile telecommunications and technology transactions in Australia and the broader region. It is noted for handling telecommunications network infrastructure projects and the implementation of core IT systems for such clients as government departments, blue-chip corporates and Australia's largest telecoms and IT service providers, and it has significant experience of advising Chinese telecoms companies on entry into the Australian market. Key clients include Medibank, Telstra and NTT DATA.

"KWM are consistently commercial and pragmatic in their advice."

"I always receive fantastic service levels and responsiveness. I know that they will do what it takes to meet requirements and timelines."

"The team has a large breadth of technical knowledge across telco regulatory issues."

"They are really good at developing a full relationship with clients and assisting us with resourcing gaps."

"KWM are very responsive and coordinated in their client education and support."

King & Wood Mallesons advised Medibank on all aspects of its response to a cybercrime incident.

Renae Lattey is based in Melbourne and advises market-leading telecommunications industry players on a comprehensive range of transactional, broader commercial and regulatory matters, bringing to her work a particularly deep familiarity with issues in the domestic, regional and global telecoms market. She offers noted experience of having acted for both private and public sector clients in transactional and regulatory interactions between government bodies and telecoms service providers.

Cheng Lim has a noted track record in the representation of leading telecoms and technology providers on key transactional and regulatory mandates. Based in Melbourne, he is also a prominent adviser on data privacy and cybersecurity questions. "As a strategic adviser I value his opinion."

Patrick Gunning stands out for cutting-edge expertise in the technology space which he applies on behalf of public and private sector players, offering particular familiarity with data privacy and protection issues and with the health and gaming sectors. He is based in Sydney. "He is a technically excellent lawyer and he is very responsive." "His strength is that he is always available to talk to. He can talk about what you can do and is willing to teach you thoroughly."

Rachael Lewis is based in Canberra and stands out both for her extensive experience in the handling of telecommunications sector transactional mandates and for her in-depth familiarity with the telecoms regulatory environment. "Rachael is an exceptional legal brain and is our trusted adviser." "Rachael is very approachable, knowledgeable, engaging and easy to deal with. She has vast experience and is able to look beyond just the issue in front of her to provide a holistic and strategic approach."

Michael Swinson is noted both as an experienced, Melbourne-based adviser on major IT procurement, outsourcing and other key transactions and as one whose grasp of the broader context within which these transactions take place adds significantly to the value of his counsel. "He is extremely knowledgeable; for a lawyer such as myself with limited understanding of tech he is a pleasure to work with."

Nicole Heller focuses principally on the management of strategic IT outsourcing and procurement arrangements, bringing to the table long experience of having acted for major banks, retailers and government departments in such transactions. Based in Sydney, she also advises on high-stakes M&A deals with complex IT and IP issues. "Nicole has a delightful personality. She presents very well with internal business, is very articulate and not overly legal. People have confidence in her."